By Annette Sanfilippo
As far as I’m concerned, this whole year has been in the fast lane. November is now upon us and it’s a month that makes you stand up and take notice. From the 1st to the 30th if you are not prepared for its pace, you may find yourself losing the race.
It’s the one time of the year when we really need to focus on remembering all we need to do in preparation for all the other dates that creep up on us. The weather gets warmer, the invitations to functions start flooding in and sometimes the diary gets double booked. Melbourne Cup and the Spring Racing Carnival soak up the first few weeks and once that’s over the focus turns to end of year events, social gatherings, holidays and the big one… the festive season.
I am both excited and exhausted just thinking about it all thanks to a little four-letter word that has become synonymous with November: sale. Grande vendita, la vente, saldi, no matter how you say the word, November speaks my language!
Over the past few years, the last Friday of this month has come to be known as ‘Black Friday’. Initially starting in the United States, ‘Black Friday’ marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, with promotional sales aiming to draw large crowds on this particular day.
The busiest shopping day of the year in the U.S., the theme has crept in globally, with other countries adapting the event and creating similar sales for local consumers. Online shopping and events like ‘Cyber Monday’ have extended ‘Black Friday’ from a single day to an entire holiday shopping month. Now many of us wait in anticipation to purchase our ‘wish list’ at ridiculous prices online and in store. Bring it on!
If you are anything like myself, I have a special little cupboard that I fill all year round with cards, wrapping paper and trinkets that I pick up for gifting. It serves me well throughout the year and I just love a good sale to top it all up again.
As usual we can expect the bargains to come at us from all angles with ridiculous deals on jewellery, home décor, clothing, shoes, and services. Not only is it the best time to shop, but it also gives us a sense of accomplishment as we need a little respite to prepare for December which comes with a whole different list of challenges.
Availability is a strong motivation for November shopping as well. Some things take time to send, make, or prepare and it’s a fabulous time to get your special need items sorted before they sell out or you have to wait weeks for new stock. Rest assured, you are not the only shopper with your eye on that ‘must-have’ for the season. Sometimes we can procrastinate a little too long thinking we can better a deal, only to be disappointed in the end.
What I do love about ‘Black November’, especially shopping on the peninsula, is that it opens the opportunity to be enticed into new and sometimes undiscovered businesses which helps support our wonderful local traders. The big department stores will draw the crowds but there will be a lot of price matching going on. So, if you can keep the patronage on our streets, I’m sure you’ll get just as good a deal. It may be as easy as ask and you will receive.
Know your products, who stocks them and what the retail price is
The peninsula is also fortunate to be saturated with local markets which are great outings to get into the spirit of the season. This time of year they really turn it on with holiday-themed events, live music, twilight shopping, and more. Markets benefit communities, farmers, and makers and also give you the opportunity to find that one-of-a-kind gift for a special someone or yourself! (Check out our market directory on page 59 to see where and when there is a market near you!)
Take a tip from me: preparation is the key to success so do your homework early. Know your products, who stocks them and what the retail price is generally. Start searching now. Make your lists, check out the websites, get your sneakers ready and take your mark as the one thing we have come to know is, first in best dressed!
I think I’m going to need another cupboard. Happy saving.
Fashionably yours,
Annette